What happened to this blog? WIP and Updates

You may, or maybe you didn't, notice that some posts have disappeared from this blog.  I've decided to get organized and as a result, it dis-organized the posts.  I've started a new blog called Cowboy Quilting where I'll post all my updates on my sewing and quilting, and I'll keep this one just for cross-stitching and the occasional needlepoint.  I've noticed that most of my comments here are in response to my cross-stitch; even though some of you might find the sewing and quilting interesting that's not what brings you.

Yay!  I got some clarity.  Good for me.  Maybe it happened when I tripped over my husband's boxing bag that he's had laying in the floor of my craft room for 2 years.  I've sprained 2 toes and the arch of my left foot so no sewing or ironing for me for 3-6 weeks.  That means lots of cross-stitching is getting done.

Here is a current status:

Be Brave by Shepherd's Bush
Cross Stitch Completed.
Fabric and Ribbons to be made into pillow

Be Smart by Shepherd's Bush
Cross Stitch - needs buttons only
Fabric and Ribbons to be made into pillow

Busy Little Bee

What's gotten into me? I've been cranking out the cross-stitch work this week like a mad woman.  I was sick for a week and when I finally recovered, I went crazy with finishing up UFOs.  I finished a few of those and then went through my projects-to-do looking for the really quick ones.  I'm glad I did because I found a pattern for a UFO that I'd thought I lost 2 years ago.  Whew!  More than half way through a project, and I lose the pattern.  Typical.

Here are the 5 items I've completed this week:

"Be Brave" by Shepard's Bush
Will eventually be a pillow.

From My Blog To Yours Winners! YAY!

And the winners are:

• Giveaway No. 1 (The Needlepoint Kits) - This Dog's Life
• Giveaway No. 2 (Sewing Patterns) - No winner; items will be donated to a local charity
• Giveaway No. 3 (Linen Floss) - Sarah Beth
• Giveaway No. 4 (Cross-Stitch Booklets) - lanybleu

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who participated.  I really appreciate all the positive comments I received from everyone.  I will be contacting the winners for address information.

UPDATED: Due to lack of response from the original winner, Giveaway No. 3 winner SoCal Debbie.

Note:  If you are using LiveJournal you may have problems leaving comments.
Brenda

Giveaway clarification

Just a note on the "From My Horde to Yours" giveaway; most people are entering comments for the 4th giveaway. Please note there 4 seperate giveaways and you can enter all of them if you wish.

From My Horde to Yours, Giveaway No. 4

Final entry for the "From My Horde to Yours" Giveaway.  Another one for the cross stitchers.  This one includes 3 cross stitch pattern booklets (one pattern) and 4 pattern books (multiple patterns).  The only pattern I've used is the Beatrix Potter Storybook Sampler birth announcement but I copied the pattern so their are no markings on it.  The others have never been used.

Included are:

• Beatrix Potter "Storybook Sampler" birth announcement
• StitchWorld X-Stitch "Balloon Over Tuscany" Victorian hot air balloon
• StitchWorld X-Stitch "Moonlight Flight" Victorian hot air balloon
• Cross My Heart Inc., "My Cup of Tea" various tea cup patterns
• Kooler Design Studio, Inc. "Beautiful Cross Stitch Blooms" by Barbara Baatz Hillman, large florals
• Leisure Arts "dye-namic florals" by Amy Hautman, how to dye fabric & x-stitch floral patterns
• Leisure Arts "dye-namic kids", how to dye fabric & x-stitch alphabet patterns

The links above are for visual representation only.  Pinterest links may be from other websites where these items are for sale or owned by other persons.  I am giving away items from my personal stash as seen in the photograph above.

Rules for Giveaway:

1. You must post a comment to THIS blog post by March 3, 2013 at 1:00 a.m.
2. This giveaway is open to Domestic and International participants.
3. Participants must be individuals and not companies to use items for resale.
4. You can enter if you've already won a contest from this site, but can only win one of the "From My Horde to Yours Giveaways". 
5. You can enter as many of the "From My Horde to Yours Giveaways" as you want, but as stated above, you can only win one.  
6. All giveaways winners are selected using the Random.org number generator, entries will be assigned numbers based on the order of their comments, e.g. comment #1, comment #2. If the same winner wins more than one giveaway, that winner will receive the prize from the earliest posted giveaway that they entered, and a new winner will be selected for the remaining giveaway(s).

Note:  If you are using LiveJournal you may have problems leaving comments.
Brenda

From My Horde to Yours, Giveaway No. 3

This one is for the needleworkers!  I have a set of 24 DMC Linen thread that I've never used. I don't know why I bought it since I don't really do samplers at all, I'm not much into the Americana or Primitive style of stitching. and if I ever get a pattern with muted colors I always change them to bolder ones.  I just wasn't thinking.  (I can say that about a lot of my clothing purchases as well, but let's not go there right now).  The threads are carded and marked with their number and an "L" to indicate "Linen".

Also, I'm throwing in some R&G thread samples.  Could be used for a splash of effect on something sometime.  I'm just have too much thread I don't have room for little samples.

Rules for Giveaway:

1. You must post a comment to THIS blog post by March 3, 2013 at 1:00 a.m.
2. This giveaway is open to Domestic and International participants.
3. Participants must be individuals and not companies to use items for resale.
4. You can enter if you've already won a contest from this site, but can only win one of the "From My Horde to Yours Giveaways". 
5. You can enter as many of the "From My Horde to Yours Giveaways" as you want, but as stated above, you can only win one.  
6. All giveaways winners are selected using the Random.org number generator, entries will be assigned numbers based on the order of their comments, e.g. comment #1, comment #2. If the same winner wins more than one giveaway, that winner will receive the prize from the earliest posted giveaway that they entered, and a new winner will be selected for the remaining giveaway(s).

Note:  If you are using LiveJournal you may have problems leaving comments.
Brenda

From My Horde to Yours, Giveaway No. 2

More to give away!  This one is for the sewists out there. This is just a little dint my pattern stash.  I really should give away more but I keep convincing myself I'll lose all that weigh one day.  Ha!  I need to do it before every pattern I own becomes "vintage".

In the meantime, if you are interested in patterns, this giveaway is for you.  This giveaway includes: 5 patterns, 2 Stitch Witchery rolls (3/4" x 10') still in packages, one tape measure, one tracing wheel, & one metal thimble.  You can use the thimble for a game piece in your new Monopoly games.

Two of the patterns in the photo are not included.  I didn't check to see if they had already been cut up and used before taking the photo (oops).  All the ones being given away are UNCUT.

Men's vest (middle) and Women's Dress (top, left) NOT included
There are 3 sizes of same shorts patterns included
Notions not shown in photo.

The patterns include:

• McCall's 3940, Z (3940) - Maternity Pattern (1) Uncut
• Vogue V7903, G,H, I, J - Women's Blouse Pattern (1) Uncut
• McCall's 8934, Small (34 1/2, 36) - Unisex Boxer Shorts (1) Uncut
• McCall's 8934, Ex-Small (32 1/2, 33 1/2) - Unisex Boxer Shorts (1) Uncut
• McCall's 8934, Medium (38, 40) - Unisex Boxer Shorts (1) Uncut

The links are for visual representation only.  Pinterest links may be from other websites where these items are for sale or owned by other persons.  I am giving away items from my personal stash as seen in the photograph above.

Rules for Giveaway:

1. You must post a comment to THIS blog post by March 3, 2013 at 1:00 a.m.
2. This giveaway is open to Domestic and International participants.
3. Participants must be individuals and not companies to use items for resale.
4. You can enter if you've already won a contest from this site, but can only win one of the "From My Horde to Yours Giveaways". 
5. You can enter as many of the "From My Horde to Yours Giveaways" as you want, but as stated above, you can only win one.  
6. All giveaways winners are selected using the Random.org number generator, entries will be assigned numbers based on the order of their comments, e.g. comment #1, comment #2. If the same winner wins more than one giveaway, that winner will receive the prize from the earliest posted giveaway that they entered, and a new winner will be selected for the remaining giveaway(s).

Note:  If you are using LiveJournal you may have problems leaving comments.
Brenda

From My Horde to Yours, Giveaway No. 1

I'm still here!  I know, I've been a bad, bad blogger. But, oh the drama going on at my house.  Sewing machines not working, messed up projects in classes, my Twitter account hacked and all passwords stolen , a dog & dog crate versus human bizarre accident (no injured but us poor humans), and to top it off I wake up to find my den floor flooded with water.  The DH forgot to close some valve while cleaning it yesterday.

Well, enough of the drama, lets get to something happier.  Let's give stuff away! YAY! I've done some sorting and cleaning out of my horde stash, and would like to pass along things I'm just not ever going to live long enough to get to.  (Really, I know I'm not the only one with enough projects to out live themselves.)

This first giveaway is a set of 5 needlepoint kits, all 5"x 5" - 1 Dragonflies kits, 1 sunflower with a ladybug, 1 wolf, 1 monarch butterfly, and 1 hummingbird.

These are excellent quick projects.  I've used them to teach basic needlepoint to my stepdaughter.  They are also good for cash-strapped college students to use for presents for friends and family.

Rules for Giveaway:

1. You must post a comment to THIS blog post by March 3, 2013 at 1:00 a.m.
2. This giveaway is open to Domestic and International participants.
3. Participants must be individuals and not companies to use items for resale.
4. You can enter if you've already won a contest from this site, but can only win one of the "From My Horde to Yours Giveaways". There are more to come!
5. You can enter as many of the "From My Horde to Yours Giveaways" as you want, but as stated above, you can only win one.  
6. All giveaways winners are selected using the Random.org number generator, entries will be assigned numbers based on the order of their comments, e.g. comment #1, comment #2. If the same winner wins more than one giveaway, that winner will receive the prize from the earliest posted giveaway that they entered, and a new winner will be selected for the remaining giveaway(s).

Note:  If you are using LiveJournal you may have problems leaving comments.
Brenda

Liebster Blog Award!

Thank you so much to McKenna from Chic Crafting who nominated my blog with the Liebster Award.

The intention behind the Award is to support and showcase blogs with less than 200 followers that you enjoy reading.  In accepting the Liebster Blog Award you agree to:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award. 
2. Link back to their blog.
3. Copy and paste the Liebster award to your profile.
4. Pick 5 blogs that you feel deserve to be in the spotlight (They must have under 200 followers).
5. Blog about it and leave a comment for your nominations to let them know that you have chosen their blog.

November Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to McKenna C, the winner of the November Giveaway.  McKenna please contact me at my email address with your mailing information.

I had a quite a few interesting emails regarding this piece.  It seems that it has a few admirers but was not "right" for many homes.  Also there were a few other people that had experienced weighing projects on effort of work versus gift receiver's appreciation for all the hard work that went into it.

McKenna, I hope you really enjoy it or have some one in mind that would really appreciate it.  Good luck with it.

Thank you to all that entered.  I appreciate all the comments.

Update: McKenna says her parents are into ships/boats and should appreciate this piece so it's going to a good home.  I'm so glad!

Note:  If you are using LiveJournal you may have problems leaving comments.

Brenda

November Giveaway

With all the spending you'll be doing this week during Black Friday weekend, I thought it'd be nice to get something for free.  I'm giving away this cross-stitch pattern from my stash.  It's an older pattern, never used, just unwisely purchased.  I've come to realize over time that the person I had in mind when I purchased it would not really appreciate all the work and time that goes into it, and I'm not really into ships myself.

"Frigate - Eyes of the Fleet"

The "Frigate-Eyes of the Fleet" by Heritage Classics or Heritage Stitchcraft is from 1996.  It is on 4 sheets, and calls for DMC threads.  Design size is listed on the package as:

25 ct = 7.5" x 6 1/4" (worked 2 over 2 threads)

27 ct = 8 1/4" x 6 3/4" (worked 2 over 2 threads)

28 ct = 8.5" x 7" (worked 2 over 2 threads)

14 ct = 8.5" x 7"

The Rules:

You can enter by either commenting TO THIS POST or at my email.  If emailing, please use the subject line "November Giveaway" in the title.  Once again entries will picked using random.org number generator; numbers will be assigned 1, 2, 3, etc based on the date and time received of either the comment or email.  The deadline for entries is Sunday, November 25, 2012, 12:00 a.m. Central Time.  A winner will be announced on Monday, November 26, 2012.  Giveaway is limited to residents of the U.S.  Good Luck!

Update to Post:  I should have stated this earlier - To all my fellow countrymen, Have a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday.  To all my friends, may you and your family be blessed, healthy, and safe wherever in this world you and they might be.

Note:  If you are using LiveJournal you may have problems leaving comments.

Brenda

Work In Progress Update - Busy, Busy, Me!

Whew!  It's been a busy week here in the Houston area; actually a busy month.  We've had the International Quilt Market and International Quilt Festival, which I did not get to attend due to surgery.  I did enjoy the Texas Renaissance Festival, and discovered that they have FINALLY added Weavers to their demonstration exhibits!  Unfortunately, I was so stunned that they actually did something I had been suggesting for them to do for years that I forgot to take any photos for you -  I was a very irresponsible blogger.  I plan on going back the last weekend of the festival to get photos, but that is Black Friday weekend, so please don't hold me to it.  In the meantime, if you are in the South East Texas area, please drop in and see them.  They are located in the same area as the metal casting.  The weavers have several looms and a spinning wheel that they demonstrate.

Violinist Faerie at Texas Renaissance Festival
Can you believe she is sitting in the dirt in that dress?

And the Winner Is...

The Winnah of the Fabulous, First Evah, Give Away at The Dropped Thread is...Joyce Clark Frank.  Congratulations Joyce!  I already have your contact information and will be getting your delightful bat thread keeper to you ASAP.  If you haven't visited Joyce's blog yet, you really should:  http://joycesloveoflife.blogspot.com/.  I've met her in person and this woman is so full of energy she puts me to shame.  The blog is worth the visit just to see all her WIP and finished work.  I don't think she really sleeps.  Maybe the bat is an appropriate item for her.

Thanks to everyone who participated.  I really appreciate the wonderful comments I received.  This has been a learning experience, and I hope the giveaways get even better with time.

Give Away and Give Alike

GIVE AWAY:
As I stated at the end of my last post, this week I have a give away.  As next week is Halloween, I am giving away a Bat Thread Keeper by Bloom Woodworks.  The bat is approximately 7" x 3" made of walnut, and coated with polyurethane.

Bat Thread Keeper by Bloom Woodworks

THE RULES:

1. Contestants must have a mailing address within the continental U.S.  (Future giveaways may expand to other countries).
2. Contestants must be FOLLOWERS of this blog.  If you have only signed up to receive emails, you will need to also sign up to be a follower.
3. Contestants must leave a comment to THIS POST. 
4. Cut off date for entry comments is Wednesday, October 31, 2012 (Halloween Day!)
5. Contestants must be willing to send me their email address (I will not be sharing or selling this info, only contact you regarding an address to mail the thread keeper).

Each post will be assigned a number; the winner will be selected by their number using www.Random.org.

GIVE ALIKE:

I would like to give you all the opportunity to give to a worthy cause.  On November 11, 2012 I will be participating in the iWalk of Animals World Wide Walk for the Houston SPCA.  If you are a fan of Animal Cops: Houston, this is that SPCA.  I am a volunteer there and currently work with the large dogs.  If you would like to walk yourself feel free to sign up by clicking the logo above, OR you can donate to support me and my dog, Logan, as we walk by entering participant name: Brenda Johnson.  Any amount is appreciated.  

A photo of my very enthusiastic co-walker:

Logan

Updated Note:  If you are using LiveJournal you may have problems leaving comments or becoming a follower.

 Brenda

Hi! My name is Brenda and I'm a Shopaholic

As I posted last, I hit the Going Out of Business Sale at Creative Stitchery & Frame in Richmond, TX this week.  I hit it hard.  I hate that they are going out of business, but it is time for Chris to retire and I don't begrudge her the opportunity to enjoy the freedom and relief from stress that I have had since quitting work.  The doors will close December 22, 2012 or sooner.  Of course they have cross-stitching supplies on sale, but they also have some pre-made frames, hand-dyed wool and felt, punch-needle supplies, and supplies for embroidering with ribbon and beads.

A fellow stitcher from the store had a gift shop that just went out of business as well and her items are in the store too.  So, I stocked up on some birthday gifts I was behind on while I was shopping for myself.  I can't post those photos because I don't want to blow the surprise for my friends - oops, now they'll know I gottem' dirt cheap, ha!

Various threads, findings, and Boo-Boo Stick

Skip the pumpkins, I want my Christmas present!

I have just discovered what I want for Christmas this year.  Usually I don't figure it out until I get done shopping for everyone else's gift, about one or two days before Christmas, and then get upset with the DH for not reading my mind and running out to get exactly what I wanted before I knew I wanted it.  It's a wonder he puts up with me sometimes.

Anyway, about my early epiphany...I just stumbled across the Lap Stitch Dutch Treat frame for perforated paper by Images Stitchery Designs.

Lap Stitch Dutch Treat Frame for Perforated Paper

As I have mentioned before, I love Brooke's Books Publishing designs, but I have had difficulty working with the paper freehand because of arthritis.  I am hoping this frame will solve the problem and let me zip through her work much faster than previously.  It's on order through my local cross-stitching store and I'm very excited to try it out. I can't wait until Christmas!! Yippee!

It's only frozen spilt milk

First just let me state that I know this has nothing to do with stitching or sewing or any other crafty persuasion.  I am on a mission to save money on groceries too, as most families are, so to help do this we recently bought a deep freeze.  Not the little kind that you have to bend yourself in half to dig anything out of, but the upright kind that looks just like your inside frig but vacuum seals itself shut each time you open it so you feel guilty going into it for just one item. You save up trips like it was a warehouse super discount store.

WIP, Finished Projects, Local Shop Closing

I'd like to say that I am working on "X" project and that be the nice and neat story, but that would be a lie.  I'm one of those people that starts and stops 100 projects because I love to buy craft and sewing supplies.  Hello, my name is Brenda and I'm a craft-a-holic.  I believe in the motto "She Who Dies with the Most Stash WINS!!!"  And...I've inherited stash!  Plus...at one time I had an Etsy store so that gave me a reason an excuse to buy more stash.  So you see why I'm motivated to actually complete projects without actually purchasing more supplies.  Trading good, buying bad.

Unfortunately, in many ways, my local cross-stitching store is going out of business.  December 22, 2012 Creative Stitchery and Frame in Richmond, Texas will close their doors unless they can find a buyer beforehand.  This has prompted me to take a closer look at all my cross-stitching pattern horde and see what supplies I will need.  I've special ordered a few items, and am making a list of some that I want to purchase during the clearance sale.  I've heard from several of my fellow stitchers at the weekly Tuesday night "Wine & Stitch" that they are planning the same thing.  The shop also carries wool fat quarters if you know anyone that quilts using wool, or uses it for any other craft.

Gotta Start Somewhere

The first entry in my new blog! Yay!  Howdy to anyone out there.  My goal with this blog is to document and track my craft and sewing projects, and to use this as a means to hold myself accountable for NOT SPENDING MONEY ON MORE CRAFTS!!!  I already have a house full of scrapbooking, cross-stitching, painting, AND sewing supplies -- but no actually scrapbooking, cross-stitching, painting or sewing is going on.

Steampunk Top Hat - Yes! The clock really works